Farrell has the bottle for job
REPORTS OWEN FARRELL is set to return to England playing duty on Saturday after his stint as water bottle carrier against Argentina.
Farrell was back in full training yesterday at Pennyhill Park and is expected to be restored when the team to face Australia is named today.
World Cup 2019 planning is all very well but Eddie Jones has a game to win against the country of his birth and Farrell’s inclusion will increase those chances.
There is the obvious matter of the difference he makes to the scoreboard – 634 points in 56 Tests tells its own story – but also, as the offspring of one of rugby league’s great leaders Andy Farrell, the driving force he has become to any side he plays in.
His England team-mate and lock Courtney Lawes, right, said: “He’s a brilliant leader and he is an exceptional player as well. He’s a player that can change the course of a game and the dynamics of the team.
“Because of his heritage, he’s very determined and very focused – one of the most focused players I’ve ever come across. He understands the game as well as having all the skills he needs to be able to perform at the level he does.
“He’s also one of the most demanding team-mates. He leads by example and drags other people up to that level. You need those kind of players in your team, definitely.”
A team only realise what they have in a player when he is absent and Farrell’s absence was keenly felt against the Pumas as a newlook midfield failed to fire in the 21-8 win.
The George Ford-Farrell axis that has become such an integral part of Jones’s England was split up with the best of intentions – resting the Saracen and putting Henry Slade in the No12 shirt was worth a punt. But seeing Farrell among the support staff with his crate of water bottles did bring to mind the image of Michelangelo setting up as a painter and decorator.
“It was a bit weird, actually. Standing there for the anthem, he was stood opposite us, looking our way and it looked a bit strange,” said England prop Mako Vunipola.
“But he’s a world-class player and when you’re a player on the field he’s like an extra coach and it was the same again when he was a water boy, coming on and running on the messages.
“He kept it simple and kept it clear, and made sure the boys knew what the coaches wanted from above. If anything it helped, with Owen knowing a lot more about the game than, say, strength and conditioning staff.”
The errand boy was in Ford’s ear almost as often as if he had been playing alongside him but although he kept his frustrations to himself, his close friend knew full well what he would rather have been doing.
“Obviously he has got a clear picture watching the game from the sidelines and he knows the game inside-out. To have his input and messaging coming on was great for a No10 but I think he’d prefer to play rather than do that,” said Ford.
Normal service is set resumed on Saturday.
Jones has shaken things up off the field with a change of hotel and training schedule but the prospect of facing an in-form Australia after a so-so start to their autumn against Argentina is concentrating minds in England’s camp.
“Come the weekend there might be that bit more edge just because it’s another world-class team,” said Lawes. “Nothing against Argentina but it is definitely a step up against Oz and we definitely have that focus.” ❑ENGLAND women, who play the first of three Tests against Canada tomorrow, will earn match fees for the first time this autumn.
Red Rose players who feature in every match and squad session will be paid
about £5,000. to be